My Heart Belongs in Castle Gate, Utah: Leanna's Choice

This book was a hard one to get through. Leanna never really made sense as a character, but it's actually the life philosophy of the characters that sunk this boat for me.

Their favorite quote is “The only darkness is ignorance.” If that were true, God wouldn't have sent a Savior as a sacrifice...He would have sent a man who was the most knowledgeable person ever found, and we could be free from darkness by dint of knowledge. No. Life doesn't work that way.

Examples. Only one marriage in the book is good, and we don't get to see it as a marriage...the two characters (Yanni and Penelope) aren't even shown having a conversation together. Jack and Dr. Scott are told to be the reasons their wives because Christians, but Jack had a fatal gambling problem and Dr. Scott has a dalliance. Nothing to admire there.

Going to church. Alex didn't even know basic Scripture and didn't own a Bible. Rather than having him become saved, he supposedly came back to God for a renewal of relationship. But instead of going to where he could learn more about God's word, he continues to go for walks alone in the woods on Sunday as his “self-church.”

Leanna's personal choices. The girl doesn't know her own mind, and she's all concerned about prejudice and spending time with a guy who isn't a believer and thinking prejudice is her biggest problem. No. She should be worried about marrying someone who isn't a believer. This is the number one obstacle for the first major chunk of the book.

Details: seemed really vague. We're told Leanna is an excellent teacher and never actually get to see her teaching. I felt like I was told all sorts of things without being shown them. For example, the reactions Alex assumes his parents will have to anything under the sun. His parents are cuddle bugs in the story and don't show themselves to be the ferocious deniers of happiness that Alex and Leanna believe they are.

Word choice: She's afraid of being a spinster. Actually, Leanna, you already took care of that worry, because you married and got widowed...a spinster is a lady who has never been married. :)

Favorite thing: the Greek heritage!! I absolutely loved the bits about Greek families and the Pappas family in particular. I would love to see more good portrayals of lesser-known people groups. The Greek parts to the story were all so vibrant and colorful that I could see more of the author's talent in writing. Extra star added for these sections.

Language: “blasted”
Other content: threats, lust, seeing a dalliance, childbirth

Thanks to NetGalley for a free review copy. Favorable review not required.